​Holyrood family loses everything in house fire, Saturday morning

Mike and Anna Clarke and their family are grateful to be alive after their house, just west of the Holyrood General Store, was destroyed by fire, Saturday morning.

Huron-Kinloss fire chief Jeff Bradley said the Lucknow Fire Department was dispatched to the structure fire at about 9:20 a.m., and found the back of the home fully involved in flames. All occupants were able to safely evacuate the residence, he said.

Mutual aid assistance was provided by Ripley, Teeswater and the North Huron Wingham station, said Bradley. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The fire department reminds everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms. They are the first line of defence in providing early warning in the event of a fire.



Mike and Anna Clarke and their family of Holyrood lost everything in a house fire, Saturday morning

The Clarkes and their 11 children managed to escape but lost everything in the fire.

“Our entire life just went up in smoke,” said Mike, Monday afternoon, as he and his family and a group of neighbours sorted through the rubble to find anything they could salvage. “We’re thankful to be alive, and we have a wonderful community helping us go through what’s left here.”

Mike said the family is currently staying with friends as they figure what to do next. They rented the former schoolhouse and had no tenant’s insurance.

Meanwhile, they are trying to continue operating their business, Clarke’s Charter Service, even though their office, equipment and records were also lost in the fire.

Anna said they have received donations of clothes and shoes because they got out of the house with just what they were wearing. People have been very kind and generous, she said.

For those who would like to donate household goods, please call ahead as the family is grateful but has limited space right now. Contact Anna at 519-530-8001.

For those who would like to make a financial donation, please send an E-transfer to clarkee673@gmail.com.



A pile of rubble is all that remains of a home just west of the Holyrood General Store